sunflower babies...

sunflower babies..., originally uploaded by credd.

i planted a mix of three types of sunflowers seeds in one of the urns that anchors my garden.
they surround a miniature meyer lemon tree...
and i was delighted to see them all come up a few days ago.

hopefully all the COLD weather that we're having won't affect them negatively.

it feels more like i should be planting winter veggies instead of summer.

my tomato plants are covered with flowers and a few tomatoes...
now...
they just need a bit of heat to help them ripen.

***

this really doesn't feel like cali...
with all this 'weather' we're having.

here it is...
may 31...
and i'm wearing boots!

gemini...

gemini..., originally uploaded by credd.

this is from my gemini tomato plant.
and when i saw it at tomatomania this year...
i wanted it strictly for its name.

what i find funny about this plant is that...
when i initially brought my tomato plants home...
there were approximately the same size.

this one now towers above the others...
and is now two to three times their height.

may 21 begins the gemini season...
and...
being a gemini myself...
i'm getting ready to start a month-long celebration!

***

Gemini
May 21 - June 20

Your element: Air
Your ruling planets: Mercury
Symbol: The Twins
Your stone: Alexandrite or Pearl*
Life Pursuit: To explore a little bit of everything.
Vibration: Intense mental energy
Gemini's Secret Desire: To be ahead of the crowd

*check it out...
we even have two stones. :)

microcassette...

microcassette..., originally uploaded by credd.

i like gadgets.

i got this a few years ago...
to record notes for myself.

for many years i worked in the medical field...
as a transcriptionist.
words were my life.

this recorder reminds me of that time.

raindrops....

raindrops...., originally uploaded by credd.

this morning i stopped to get a coffee on the way to work...
and the first thing i noticed was the raindrops on all of the patio benches.
i purchased my coffee & put it into the car...
grabbed my camera...
then proceeded to photograph the raindrops.

as i was taking the last photograph (i took ten)...
a car pulls up...
and the guy inside smiles at me.

i said...
i'm going to be late for work out here photographing raindrops.
he replied...
gotta get the shot!
exactly!

tools...

tools..., originally uploaded by credd.

of another of my loves...
gardening.

what can i say?
its one of the most calming, rewarding experiences i know.
 
when i'm in my garden...
physically...
or mentally planning...
i can get lost for hours.
 
if i go outside to pull one weed...
i look at my watch to see an hour has passed...
especially if i've got my ipod and am performing for the neighbors.
 
today...
i walked along the perimeter of my garden...
and discovered that i have tomatoes on a few of my plants.
i was ecstatic!
 
i went back inside...
grabbed my camera...
and proceeded to take photos of tomatoes and flowers...
just beginning to bloom.
 
it began to rain...
and since i hadn't had my fill of gardening yet...
i came inside, created this photo...
and then proceeded to plant the basil seeds that were given to me with the pot.

bbq sauce...

bbq sauce..., originally uploaded by credd.

since tomorrow is mother's day...
and also my father's birthday...
i decided to bbq today...
and take dinner to their house tomorrow.

yesterday i picked up some chicken and ribs...
and this morning i decided that i wanted to make my own sauce.
the last time i made sauce...
my mother told me that she had my great-grandmother's sauce recipe.
so...
when i spoke with her this morning...
i asked her to fax it to me.

next week...
two of my brothers will also celebrate birthdays.
and...
co-incidentally...
the two of them and my dad were BORN on mother's day. .

so...
tomorrow...
we have a lot to celebrate!

super san marzano...

super san marzano..., originally uploaded by credd.

i love gardening.

this year...
i am growing 11 or so different types of tomatoes.
i know...
that's a lot.

but...
they won't all produce at the same time...
and i give a lot of them away.

i also roast & freeze them for soups and pasta sauces.

this is the super san marzano...
and is a great 'sauce' tomato.